Telemetering system for displaying analog and digital data

ABSTRACT

This system displays both analog and digital data such as quantities and messages with predetermined display priorities assigned to the several messages or types of data. In operation, commands pass through a priority sorter to a signal and display processor which in turn passes currents of predetermined magnitudes and polarities to an electromagnetic indicator drive device. The drive device has two stator windings which generate magnetic fields 90* apart and drive a rotor coupled to an indicator, bearing prerecorded data thereon, for display and readout purposes.

United States Patent 1 1 Carlstein 14 1 Mar. 27, 1973 54] TELEMETERING SYSTEM FOR 2,555,166 5 1951 Uehling ..340 177 x DISPLAYING ANALOG AND DIGITA 3,199,081 8/1965 Kok ..340 147 LP DATA 3,330,758 1/1967 Hawley ..340/147 LP 3,311,881 3/1967 Mellott ..340/l47 LP [75] Inventor: Joseph Carlstein, East Meadow, 3,550,111 12/1970 Ervin ..340/409 N Y 3,145,374 8/1964 Benner ..340/l83 3,270,321 8/1966 Berkowitz ..340/1 82 X [73] Ass1gnee: Vernitron Corporation, New York,

Primary Examiner-Harold l. Pitts 22 d; Oct 1 9 9 Attorney-Edward H. Loveman 21 Appl. No.: 8 57] ABSTRACT This system displays both analog and digital data such CI "340/177 1 340/182 R, 340/203 R as quantities and messages with predetermined display [5 Cl- ..G08c priorities assigned to the several messages or types of Fleld of Search R, R, R data In operation commands pass through a priority sorter to a signal and display processor which in turn Reiefences Cited passes currents of predetermined magnitudes and polarities to an electromagnetic indicator drive device. UNITED STATES PATENTS The drive device has two stator windings 1 which 3,024,449 3/1962- Guerth ..340/177 generate magnetic fields 90 apart and drive a rotor, 3,158,849 11/1964 Thalern coupled to an indicator, bearing prerecorded data ,2 1966 wI ythereon, for display andreadout purposes. 3,267,420 8/1966 Pure g 3,327,289 6/1967 'Goldstine ..340/177 X 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures ANHLQG 04m "1 a a 40 COS/NE I50: 501/5 L //V5 [5b LIA/E 2 A 5W5 //vP. /7 INPUT U/VE I79 SIGN/7L 4N0 Sl/VE L l/V5 z 06 M/Pl/T 7 1 DISPUW 20 J M Z; ,1? 097W 2 Cog-N5 z INSTRUCTION COS/N6} //VE D5 1 CE L/NE PROCESSOR 22 I/VPUT 1 1 J 015F441 25 Win47 l6 COMMfl/VD L/A/EJ PE/OR/TY SORTEE M/Pl/T can/44w 4/11/55 Patented March 27, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 TELEMETERING SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING ANALOG AND DIGITAL DATA The invention relates to a .system for displaying analog and digital data or data messages and more particularly a system which is responsive to commands received to display a message or data in accordance with a predetermined priority schedule.

Systems which display stored digital data or analog data and display such data in response to received commands have been known heretofore. The present invention makes it possible to display both digital and analog data, and to do it according to a predetermined priority schedule in response to instructions received to display a position of said data. According to the invention, commands or instructions to display data or messages are applied to a priority sorter. The priority sorter determines which message has the highest predetermined priority so that this message will be displayed first. The priority sorter then activates. a signal and display instruction processor to route the proper signal to an indicator device having a direct reading dial. The system is responsive to commands to display both digital and analog information.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the instant invention to provide a direct reading analog and digital device.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a device of the type described with a plurality of analog and digital messages for selective display of one message at a particular time.

Another object of the instantinvention is to provide a device of the type described with priority sorting means for selecting .and displaying one message. of a group of messages ready for display which has the highest predetermined priority. I

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type described with an electromagnetic indicator drive device including two phased stator windings generating magnetic fields spaced 90 apart, to turn a rotor driving an indicator dial in one direction or another depending on the polarities of currents in the windings and to turn the rotor angularly an amount depending on the relative magnitudes of the currents in the windings.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially diagrammatic in form of an electromagnetic dial drive device employed in the system for displaying data therein.

FIG. 3 is a graphic diagram of magnetomotive force distributions in the device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an analog and digital data display dial employed in the system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a relay type of message priority sorter.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a signal and display instruction processor.

FIG. 7 is a diagram-of a potentiometer which may be used as a source of 1 signal data for display of analog quantities.

pointer 40 mounted the rim of the support 40' Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof, there is shown in FIG. 1 a block diagram of the indicating or display system. The system includes a priority sorter 10 which receives display commands for the various messages via input command lines 12. The priority sorter in turn delivers instructions to a signal and display instruction processor 14 via display command lines 16. The processor 18 may have sine and cosine input signal lines 15a, 15b, and 17a, 17b, for each analog message to be displayed. Output sineand cosine signal lines 20, 22 are connected to an indicator drive device 25. This device has a rotatable output shaft 26 driving a dial 28. The dial bears sets of analog quantity data in the form of scales 30 and 32 as well as a plurality of discrete messages 34 designated respectively message No. l-message No. 4, all inscribed on and circumferentially spaced around the face of the dial as duly shown in FIG. 4. A stationary indicates which message or data quantity is being displayed as the dial is rotated in response to a command or instruction received by the system.

The commands or instructions are applied via input lines 12 to the priority sorter 10. The priority sorter checks these input commands to determine which one has the highest priority for immediate display to the exclusion of the other commands. The priority sorter then activates only that particular display command line 16 corresponding to the message having the highest priority among those ready and waiting display. If the display command line 16 which is energized represents one of the discrete messages 34, i.e. an alarm or warning such as FIRE, STOP, etc., then the signal and display instruction processor 14 generates appropriate current or voltage signals on the sine and cosine lines 20, 22. These signals are applied to the electromagnetic indicatordrive device 25 which causes output shaft 26 to turn dial 28 to that position with respect to pointer 40 which displays the chosen discrete message. If the display command line 16 energized by priority sorter 10 represents an analog quantity, then processor 14 applies a signal received from external sources (15a and 15b or 17a or 17b) representing the proper analog quantity to the sine and cosine lines 20, 22. This causes the drive device 25 to rotate shaft 26 and dial 28 to that dial position with respect to pointer 40 which displays the chosen analog data i.e. the message 30 or 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 where a detailed illustration of the invention will now be described. The

indicator drive device 25 shown in FIG. 2 includes a cylindrical stator 42 enclosed in a suitable stationary housing (not shown), The stator has circumferentially spaced internal slots 44. Rotatably disposed inside the stator is a cylindrical rotor 45. This rotor is a permanent magnet with two poles N and S as indicated. The rotor is mounted on an axial shaft 26, which is journaled in suitable bearings, (not shown) and carries dial 28 which rotates with the shaft with respect to stationary pointer 40. Pointer 40 may be attached to the stationary housing of the stator in any suitable manner.

The indicator drive device 25 as shown in FIG. 2 has two sets of windings 46 and 48 located in slots 44 of stator 42. The magnetic axis M of winding 46 herein designated the cosine winding is perpendicular, i.e.

spaced 90 angularly from magnetic axis M of the winding of sine winding" 48. The stator and rotor are constructed according to known techniques to insure that each winding 46 and 48 produces a substantially sinusiodal magnetomotive force distribution in air gap 50 between the rotor and stator. This distribution will be proportional to the ampere-turns produced by each winding, with the peak field value centered along the magnetic axis M or M of the winding.

FIG. 3 illustrates idealized magnetomotive forcev (mmf) distribution curves for two possible conditions (I and II) of stator windings 46, 48. In condition I, curve S shows the mmf distribution of sine winding 48 which is zero at and maximum at 90. Curve C shows the mmf distribution of cosine winding 46 which is maximum at 0 and zero at 90. The cosine curve leads the sine curve as shown by the 90 lead of magnetic axis M with respect to axis M. The total or resultant mmf distribution is shown by curve SC. The peak of curve SC shown at magnetic axis M leads the peak of curve S shown at magnetic axis M by a positive angle 0. In the associated vector diagram Vs and V0 represent the curves S and C vectorially and the resultant vector Vsc leads vector Vs by positive angle 9. In condition II, distribution curve S is shown unchanged. Curve C' is the mmf distribution in cosine winding 46 obtained when the polarity of current in winding 46 is reversed. Now the result mmf distribution curve SC lags curve S by negative angle 9. The associated vector diagram shows negative vector Vc representing the reversed magnetic field. Vector Vs is unchanged. The resultant vector V, now lags vector Vs by 0. The relationship can be expressed ideally:

9=taTr1 ab/ 1 1),

where N and N are the numbers of turns of windings 48 and 46 respectively, and 1,, I are the current magnitudes in windings 48 and 46. The magnitude of 0 will depend on the relative magnitudes of currents I and 1 The angular rotation of rotor 45 from an initial position which is always less than 360 will therefore depend on the relative polarities of currents passed through windings 46, 48 and on their relative magnitudes.

The rotor 45 of the indicator drive device shown in FIG. 2 is a permanent magnet. It will so position itself that the rotors north pole N will be aligned with the magnetic south pole produced by the combined stator fields. Depending on the direction and magnitude of current in each stator winding 46 and 48, the rotor shaft 26 can be made to assume any rotational position as a stable position between 0 and 360. The dial 28 mounted on shaft 26 of the rotor bearing appropriate analog and discrete message data will thus display any desired prerecorded or stored data thereon with respect to pointer 40, depending on the input currents to windings 46,48.

The dial 28shown most clearly in FIG. 4 is arranged to display any of two analog quantities 30, 32 or four discrete or digital message 34-37. Each analog quantity is assigned approximately one quarter of the dials peripheral circumference. The four discrete messages are assigned other spaced apart positions along the periphery of the dial. FIG. 4 shows the interleaving of digital and analog data or messages for illustrative purposes only. The actual configurative used can vary considerably by providing any number, sequence, spacing, and length of analog and discrete messages. The analog data can occupy any desired sectoral angle and the need not be uniformly spaced throughout. Additionally, instead of a dial, a drum, tape or other linear type of display member may be provided. Moreover, a viewing window or other arrangement for identifying and isolating the information to be displayed may be provided instead of readout pointer 40. The principal limitations on each of the possible variations is the readability of the selected message as determined by the size of the alphanumeric symbols required, available size of display member, and accuracy of positioning by the electromagnetic indicator drive device. It should be understood that the display dial or other display member need not necessarily be directly attached to the rotor shaft to rotate in coordination with it. The pointer 40 or other readout means may be mounted on any suitable support 40 and need not necessarily be attached to the housing of the stator.

In FIG. 4, index line 40a of pointer 40 is assumed lined up with magnetic axis M of stator winding 48. The zero (0) indication of analog quantity No. l on analog scale 30 is assumed lined up with the north pole N of the magnet rotor 45. The zero (0) indication of analog quantity No. 2 on analog scale 32 is assumed lined up with the south pole S of the rotor. If Message No. l is to be displayed, the rotor shaft must rotate so that point X1 is aligned with the readout pointer 40.

-This requires the shaft 26 to rotate approximately l20 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4. A command to display Message No. 1 must be implemented by passage of currents of proper relative magnitudes through windings 46 and 48. Similarly to display Messages No. 2, No. 3, or No. 4, the shaft 26 and dial 28 must rotate counterclockwise 150, clockwise 60 and clockwise 30 respectively.

Thus as noted above, any one of six distinct messages may be displayed, namely four discrete messages and two analog messages. However, since only one message at a time may be displayed at readout pointer 40, a priority arrangement is provided according to the invention. This priority is established and then implemented logically. For example, suppose the priority of messages, in decreasing order of importance, are Message No. 2, Message No. 1, Message No. 3, Message No. 4, analog Message No. 2 is over onefourth in magnitude, and analog message No. 1. Logic must be used which commands the indicator drive device to:

a. position Message No. 2 at pointer 40 if a command to read out Message No. 2 is present; or

b. position Message No. 1 at the pointer if a command to read out Message No. 1 is present while a command to read out Message No. 2 is absent; or

c. position Message No. 3 at the pointer if a command to read out position Message No. 3 is present and no command to position Messages No. 2 and N0. 1 are present; or

(1. position Message No. 4 at the pointer if a command to read out Message No. 4 is present and no command to read out Messages No. 2, No. 1, and No. 3 are present; or

e. position the correct value of analog quantity No. 2 at the pointer if the value is larger than one-fourth,

providing no command to read out discrete Messages No.2, No. 1, No. 3, and No.4 are present; or

f. position the correct value of analog quantity No. 1 at the pointer provided no command to read out any of the higher priority discrete messages or an analog quantity No. 2 greater than one-fourth is present.

FIG. 5 shows the circuit of priority sorter 10 of the system for establishing the desired message priorities. The circuit is adapted to establish the particular priority sequence given in the example above. Input command signals which are preferably logical l s are applied via input lines 12. The circuit includes five Relays R R each operating a plurality of movable contacts or poles with a pair of fixed contacts at each of two pole positions. The coil of Relay R is connected directly to input command line 12,, for displaying Message No. 2, the message with highest designated priority as stated above. When a command is received on line- 12,,, pole P closes with contact C so that the command, in the form of a logical l, is passed directly to display command line 16,, leading to the signal display and instruction processor. The other poles of Relay R, move to the open circuited contacts C and C to C, This opens all the other input command lines 12,,, 12 -12, to prevent commands for displaying messages of lower priority than Message 2 from being passed to processor 14.

Relay R will become energized by a logical 1 command appearing on line 12, if no command appears on line 12,,. This will pass the logical 1 command to display command line 16a, as pole P closes with contact C At the same time the other poles controlled by Relay R move to open circuited contacts.

Relay R will become energized if a command appears on line 12 and no command appears on input command lines 12,, or 12,,. Display command line 16 will pass the command to processor 14.

Similarly, Relays R and R will become energized if a logical l command appears on their respective input command lines 12,, and 12,, and no command appears for displaying a message of higher priority. The applied input command will be passed via closed relay contacts to respective display command lines 16,, and 16,.

If none of the relays are energized and a command signal appears on line 12,, it will be passed to said display and instruction processor 14.

While the logic circuit of priority sorter 10 shown in FIG. 5 employs relays, it should be understood that this circuit is only for illustrative purposes and that solid state circuit elements may be employed i.e. AND gates, magnetic cores, etc. It is of course understood that the circuit may be rearranged for other specified message priority sequences.

FIG. 6 shows part of the circuit of the signal and display instruction processor 14. The display command lines 16 -16, from the priority sorter are connected to coils of respective relays. Only Relays R R and R are shown energized via display command lines 16 16,, and 16, respectively. The omitted relays will be similarly energized via line 16,-, 16, 16,. A d.c. power source such as a battery 60 is connected between a pair of fixed contacts 62, 63 of Relay R in series with a resistor 64. Output line 22 is connected to a pair of poles P '-1 and P '2. This line provides current to the cosine winding 46 of the indicator drive device 25. Sine winding 48 of the indicator drive device is connected via output line 20. Line 20 is connected to a pair of poles P '3 and P,,'4 of Relay R A pair of fixed contacts 65, 66 are connected across the power source 60.

Poles P '1, P 2 of Relay R are connected to output line 22 and cosine winding 46. Poles P '-3, P '4 are connected to output line 20 and sine winding 48. Fixed contacts 67-70 of Relay R are connected across the power source directly or through resistor 64 as required. Poles P -,-l to P -4 of Relay R are connected to the sine and cosine windings via the respective sine and cosine output lines 20, 22. Fixed contacts 71 and 74 of the Relay R are connected to analog data sine and cosine line inputs 15 and 15,, respectively.

Processor 14 is arranged to coordinate with priority sorter 10 in performing according to the priority schedule of the example previously mentioned. If a command signal to display Message No. 2 of highest priority appears on line 16 Relay R will be energized and the sine and cosine windings will be energized by the battery via fixed contacts 67-70, in combination with the resistor 64. This causes application of currents in correct relative magnitudes and polarities to be applied to the sine and cosine windings. If a command signal to display Message No. 1 which is of second priority appears on line 16, while no signal appears on line 16 then Relay R will be energized. The sine and cosine windings will be energized, but the relative magnitudes of the currents will be different since now resistor 64 will be in series with the resistance of cosine winding 46 rather than the sine windings as before. Therefore the currents passing through windings 46, 48 will cause the dial 28 shown in FIG. 4 to be rotated counterclockwise to locate Message No. 1 at pointer 40. If signals were to appear on lines 16 or 16,,, the polarities of currents applied to windings 46, 48 would be reversed in such a manner as to cause dial 28 to be turned clockwise from the position shown to locate the selected Message No. 3 or No. 4 at pointer 10.

If a command signal to display Analog Quantity No. 1 appears on line 16,, Relay R will be energized. The sine and cosine line inputs 15,, and 15,, must provide currents of appropriate relative magnitude and polarity to the sine and cosine windings 48, 46. This will cause dial 28 to be rotated counterclockwise angularly to the point on scale 30 determined by the relative magnitudes of the applied currents in windings 46, 48. Similarly, if a command signal appears on line 16, to display Analog No. 2, the associated relay (not shown) will be energized via line 16,. Currents will then be passed to windings 46 and 48 from cosine and sine input line 17 17,,via fixed contacts (not shown) of the relay energized via line 16 Dial 28 will then rotate to locate the appropriate point of analog data No. 2 scale 32 at pointer 40.

In the circuit of FIG. 6, it is assumed that analog current values are available in trigonometric form and relationship so that when the angle they represent is displayed, it is linearly proportional to angular rotation of the dia] 28. It is also possible to obtain a non-linear display of an analog quantity by using a linear potentiometer arrangement such as shown in FIG. 7 to excite processor 14. Here the cosine and sine windings 46, 48 are connected across resistance 78 of potentiometer 80 via poles P '1,and P '4 of Relay R Arm 82 of the potentiometer is connected to point 84 where terminals of both windings are also connected.

In operation, arm 82 will be moved along resistor 78 with the linear movement of arm 82 proportional to the analog quantity to be displayed. Relay R will be energized, as described above, to display analog data No. 1, and thus contacts 71 and 74 will be closed. Current in appropriate magnitude will be passed to windings 46, 48 from the d.c. power supply 60' through the poles P '-l and P '4 which close the contacts 71, 74. The relative magnitudes of the currents will be determined by the position of arm 82 along resistor 78. A similar arrangement may be provided for displaying other analog messages.

If the analog quantity to be displayed is zero, winding 48 will carry no current and winding 46 will carry maximum current, so that the point of scale 30 or 32 on dial 28 shown in FIG. 4 will appear at pointer 40. If both windings carry currents of the same magnitude, the one-half" markings at the midpoint of scale 30 or 32 will be located at pointer 40. The dial will turn one way or the other depending on the relative polarities of currents in the windings as explained in connection with FIG. 3. If the analog quantity is maximum or 1 as shown on scales 30 and 32, winding 46 will carry no current and winding 48 will carry maximum current. This will turn dial 28, 90 from its zero position on the same scale. For other values of analog data intermediate points of scales 30 and 32 will appear at pointer 40. For any given potentiometer 80, there may be some slight non-linearity between 0" and 1" points on scales 30 or 32. In such a case the scales can be calibrated to provide true linear correspondence with the potentiometer arm s position.

It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A system for displaying a plurality of analog and discrete message data, each of which has a different predetermined display priority, comprising a plurality of sources of commands to display analog and discrete message data;

priority sorting means connected to receive said source commands and determine which one of said commands has the highest of said predetermined display priority for immediate display to the exclusion of the other commands;

signal processing means connected to said priority sorter means to generate a signal corresponding to said message having highest predetermined priori- W; an indicator drive device connected to said signal processing means and adapted to be energized therefrom;

an indicator means bearing prerecorded analog and discrete messages thereon operatively driven by said device; and

power supply means connected in circuit to said signal processing means whereby said indicator drive device will be energized when the command signal is received by said signal processing means, to thereby display said selected one of the analog and discrete message by said indicator means.

2. A system as defined by claim 1, wherein said power supply is a direct current source providing currents to energize said indicator drive device for displaying a selected one of the discrete messages on said indicator means.

3. A system as defined by claim 1, wherein said power supply is an analog current source providing currents to energize said indicator drive device for displaying a selected one of the analog messages on said indicator means.

4. A system as defined by claim 1, wherein said priority sorting means comprises a plurality of circuits interconnected in such a way that closing of any of said circuits except a certain one thereof deactivates at least one other of said circuits, to permit a command of higher priority to pass through the closed circuit.

5. A system as defined by claim 1, wherein said indicator drive device comprises a stator having a pair of windings which are arranged to generate magnetic fields phased apart;

a magnet rotor rotatably mounted within said stator for rotation by said fields and connected to rotate said indicator means;

said windings being connected to said signal processing means, whereby the direction and magnitude of angular rotation of the indicator means is determined by the currents in said windings.

6. A system as defined by claim 5, wherein said indicator means is a dial having analog and discrete messages circumferentially spaced thereon, and a stationary pointer associated with said dial, whereby a selected one of the messages on the dial is indicated by said pointer, depending on the polarities and magnitudes of currents in said windings.

7. A system as defined by claim 6, wherein each analog message is a scale extending circumferentially on the dial, and said power supply means provides two currents via said signal processing means to said windings respectively so that said dial is rotated by said rotor to a point on said scale corresponding to the relative magnitudes of said two currents.

8. A system as defined by claim 6, further comprising potentiometer means in circuit with said windings whereby said dial is rotated in non-linear relationship with respect to a change in the position of said potentiometer when a command to display an analog message is applied to said priority sorting means. 

1. A system for displaying a plurality of analog and discrete message data, each of which has a different predetermined display priority, comprising a plurality of sources of commands to display analog and discrete message data; priority sorting means connected to receive said source commands and determine which one of said commands has the highest of said predetermined display priority for immediate display to the exclusion of the other commands; signal processing means connected to said priority sorter means to generate a signal corresponding to said message having highest predetermined priority; an indicator drive device connected to said signal processing means and adapted to be energized therefrom; an indicator means bearing prerecorded analog and discrete messages thereon operatively driven by said device; and power supply means connected in circuit to said signal processing means whereby said indicator drive device will be energized when the command signal is received by said signal processing means, to thereby display said selected one of the analog and discrete message by said indicator means.
 2. A system as defined by claim 1, wherein said power supply is a direct current source providing currents to energize said indicator drive device for displaying a selected one of the discrete messages on said indicator means.
 3. A system as defined by claim 1, wherein said power supply is an analog current source providing currents to energize said indicator drive device for displaying a selected one of the analog messages on said indicator means.
 4. A system as defined by claim 1, wherein said priority sorting means comprises a plurality of circuits interconnected in such a way that closing of any of said circuits except a certain one thereof deactivates at least one other of said circuits, to permit a command of higher priority to pass through the closed circuit.
 5. A system as defined by claim 1, wherein said indicator drive device comprises a stator having a pair of windings which are arranged to generate magnetic fields phased 90* apart; a magnet rotor rotatably mounted within said stator for rotation by said fields and connected to rotate said indicator means; said windings being connected to said signal processing means, whereby the direction and magnitude of angular rotation of the indicator means is determined by the currents in said windings.
 6. A system as defined by claim 5, wherein said indicator means is a dial having analog and discrete messages circumferentially spaced thereon, and a stationary pointer associated wiTh said dial, whereby a selected one of the messages on the dial is indicated by said pointer, depending on the polarities and magnitudes of currents in said windings.
 7. A system as defined by claim 6, wherein each analog message is a scale extending circumferentially on the dial, and said power supply means provides two currents via said signal processing means to said windings respectively so that said dial is rotated by said rotor to a point on said scale corresponding to the relative magnitudes of said two currents.
 8. A system as defined by claim 6, further comprising potentiometer means in circuit with said windings whereby said dial is rotated in non-linear relationship with respect to a change in the position of said potentiometer when a command to display an analog message is applied to said priority sorting means. 